“We are saved,” cried Leona. “Heaven has heard our humble prayers.”
“Mi’d you’d better look main sharp,” said Johnnie, “and not shout t’ll you’se clear o’ the wood.”
But he told Antonio that every mutineer was disarmed, and that all that was required now was to batten down the deck before they should awake.
The noise inseparable from this, however, did awaken the drunken men.
They were like a hive of hornets.
“Stand down,” roared Antonio. “The first head that pops up above the ladder will have a bullet through it.”
The mutineers held back.
“Who is the traitor?” cried the evil Finn. “’Tis you, Petersen! You! Have that!”
There was the sound of a horrid blow delivered with some blunt instrument, then for a moment all was still.